Day 5.  Columbus-Belmont State Park.  Mighty green.  Sure was HILLY.

Hour-half drive from hotel in Cape Girardeau.  Honestly notta lotta lodging options near Columbus Kentucky.  Bridge-crossed both Mississippi & Ohio rivers before 430am.

Wildlife ticker started at the Kentucky border.  Possum momma & babies.  Raccoon. Raccoon.  Owl I thought dead in the road, rose HUGE as I neared with the rental.  GPS necessary for this Civil War Park — Mainly’s hilliest course of all 50 states.

Morning announcements.  Long loop ’round parking, UP UP first big climb & I ran. Headlamp flickered then BAM… it was dark (failed to recharge night before).  Howdy Kim from Wichita.  I’m gonna run close ’cause I’ve got no light.  Sub 9-minute pace; gal killed it for her 5K.  Quick goodbyes & UP UP the biggest climb again.  Push, push, push — fast on the downhill.  Arms windmilling to help with balance I never fully regained from chemo.

Saw Chey/Guinness Mom, my half-marathon pacer, for second hour.  I dropped a 7:40 minute/mile & we parted two laps ’til I’d catch her on another climb.  Remember, she’s doing this with a stroller & baby-in-tow.  Strong athlete 💪

My first sub-2 Half in years.  Took in electrolytes, walked ’til base of incline & pushed UP again.  Instead of holding back, I just kept hitting it.  I’ll walk tomorrow.  Kinda fun being that guy for a day.  Think it the mix of rolling hills/use of different muscles or maybe the 25-degree drop in temperature.  First past 26 miles.  50K winner this day.

Hung ’round, cheered on my run tribe & thanked the RDs for finally turning on the air conditioning 🙂  #Colorado boy

Video Disclaimer:  Song I was humming: Blue Moon of Kentucky.  Also NOT the fastest 50K of my life… I was young once 🙂

Columbus-Belmont State Park, KY